The Italian railway network, managed
by
Trenitalia S.p.A.,
spans over 16,000 km. Connections
with France run along the Nice-Ventimiglia-Genoa
coastline and through the Frejus
tunnel via Modane, Bardonecchia, and
Turin. The lines from Switzerland
run through the Sempione Pass tunnel
and across Ticino Canton from the
Chiasso border crossing towards
Milan. The Brennero and Tarvisio
lines link Italy to Austria and then
to central and western Europe. There
are also a few private railway
companies. The rail network is
adequately developed and widespread,
especially between major urban
centers and tourist areas.

The railway is connected to the
two main islands, Sardinia and
Sicily, by means of ferries
departing from Civitavecchia
(Rome) and Villa San Giovanni
(Reggio Calabria). The fastest
trains operate on the networks
between the major cities while
the regional trains are fairly
slow. It is also fairly cheap
and efficient.

This
high-speed train service covers many
internal as well as intra-European
routes with modern air-conditioned
cars. Some seats are provided with
electrical supply (European type)
and tables suitable for laptops.
Freccia Rossa, Freccia Bianca,
Freccia Argento trains require
payment of a supplementary fare. Reservations are
necessary.

IC Intercity

The main category of express trains used in domestic service. All the cars are air-conditioned. Dining facilities are provided as indicated on the schedules. IC Intercity trains require payment of a supplementary fare, which is waived for holders of Eurail or BTLC passes. Seats may be reserved if desired.

EC Eurocity

Express trains used in international service, subject to IC Intercity supplementary fare and rules.

CIS Cisalpino

These
type of trains is operated by a
joint venture between Italian and
Swiss rail companies. The service is
express as in IC Intercity trains
and the routes connect the main
cities of Central and Northern Italy
with the Swiss main cities. On the
CIS Cisalpino trains is required the
payment of a supplementary fare and
reservations are necessary as in ES
Eurostar trains; dining cars are
available.

REG Regionale

Local trains, not necessarily making all the stops on a route. First class is offered on the IR Interregionale only.

On long-distance trains, there are
restaurant or self-service cars. Sleeping
cars and couchettes must be booked in
advance.
Bicycles can be shipped on many
trains marked with a special symbol (one per
passenger, up to capacity). It is also
possible to transport cars along the
main tourist lines. Rates are calculated
based on the distances traveled and vehicle
size. "Treno+auto", a car hiring service, is
available at main rail stations. Rail
schedules, displayed in the stations and
also given in specific publications
available for purchase at news-stands, show
the services each train offers.

Seat reservations
are possible on every kind of
train except REG Regionale and DIR
Diretto. Reservations are mandatory
on ES Eurostar and CIS Cisalpino
trains. Reservation minimum notice
is five minutes before departure on
ES Eurostar and CIS Cisalpino, and
three hours on IC Intercity trains.
Although simple seat reservations
can be made in ticket offices,
through automated machines located
in the stations and online,
reservations for particular
services, like sleeping cars and car
transport, should be made through
travel agencies.

Tickets
First and second class rail tickets, which
have different rates, can be purchased at
station ticket windows, through automated
machines located in the stations, online (www.trenitalia.com)
or in authorized travel agencies. For ES
Eurostar, IC Intercity, EC Eurocity, CIS
Cisalpino and generally all trains requiring
bookings, a supplement is charged along with the
ticket price. Tourist groups, persons over 60 or
under 26 years of age, and families are usually
entitled to special reductions on rail fares,
but the conditions are subject to change
frequently.

Travelers must validate their
tickets with the special stamping
machines located along the station
platforms. Stamped tickets must be
used within six hours of validation.
It is extremely important to
validate your ticket before boarding
to avoid fines.

Refund
for Rail Passes
Application for refund of unused tickets
must be submitted at the office where the
tickets were purchased within one year of
issuance. All unused tickets must be stamped
"unused" by an official of the European Rail
Roads. All refunds are subject to a 15%
cancellation charge plus administration fees.
Tickets purchased in Europe cannot be refunded
in the U.S. Note: Rates are
subject to change without notice.

Disabled
TravelersThe
Italian railways net is well equipped to help
people with disability. More than 150 Italian
railway stations have a reception service for
disabled travelers. This service must be booked
at least 24 hours in advance. There are seats
reserved for travelers with disabilities on each
Italian train but these seats are not accessible
if you can't move from your wheelchair to the
seat. There are fully accessible special
compartments in first class special wagons.
These compartments have space for 2 wheelchairs
and 2 ablebodied companions. These compartments
are equipped with an accessible toilet too. The
assistance with portable lifts is provided by
the railways staff at no extra cost.